Various Top Signs Of Cerebral Palsy

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Cerebral palsy is a generic term, which has been used to define a group of disorders that affect the person’s movements, muscle coordination and posture. The condition occurs when there has been a paralysis in some major part of the brain due to birth trauma or injury. The major effect of this disorder can be seen in the form of developmental delays in young infants.

Infants who suffer from cerebral palsy show delays in major milestones like sitting, crawling and walking. The symptoms are not usually detected very early on but are only noticed in the first few years of life. Most parents think their child is suffering from a normal developmental delay. Let us now see the major signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy.

Types Of Cerebral Palsy

Depending on the type of cerebral palsy, the individual may be suffering from any of the following symptoms.

Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Stiffness and lack of muscle tone is one of the major characteristic features of this cerebral palsy. In this, the movements appear to be spastic, jerky and uncontrolled. The condition can affect any part of the body from the limbs, to one side or even the entire body as seen in quadriplegia.

Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy

This cerebral palsy affects balance, movement, posture and coordination of the child. This is divided into two sub types.

Athetoid

In this, the movements are lethargic and the person appears to be fatigued. The movements are largely involuntary and uncontrolled. It is said that 20% of cerebral palsy patients suffer from these symptoms. This abnormal pattern in movements can be seen in any part of the body from the mouth, face and the tongue.

Ataxic

Ataxic cerebral palsy affects the balance and coordination of the person. The posture is all wrong and the child may walk with an uneven gait or a permanent slump. The walking too is unsteady. Major skills like writing too are affected.

Mixed

Mixed cerebral palsy sees features that are present both in dyskinetic and spastic cerebral palsy.

Symptoms In Children

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Most of the time, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy in young children can be seen with the presence of any of the following symptoms.

Positioning Difficulties

Most young infants have trouble changing positions especially if they have been affected by cerebral palsy.

Developmental Delays

These delays can be seen in the form of difficulties in rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking and running. The child is acutely delayed and is way behind his other peers.

Difficulty In Fine Motor Tasks

Young babies and toddlers find it very difficult to master small skills like picking up a button, using a scissor, scribbling and writing.

Difficulties In Gross Motor Skills

The child finds it difficult to walk up stairs, ride a tricycle, kick a ball or run.

Sucking Difficulties

The baby may also show major difficulties in sucking and swallowing, which can affect his/her nutritional status and cause nutritional deficiencies.

Cerebral palsy as a diagnosis can be very scary and most parents should get it confirmed before worrying needlessly. Many people have shown some form of mastery over their disorder with rehabilitation and physical therapy. Acute cases may require a wheel chair or a crutch but most patients go on to lead near normal lives and do well despite their shortcomings.

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